Outdoor security camera system w/DVR? (1 Viewer)

[Skylord]

What is a good TVL to look for?

Well I would think you would want at least TV quality so 625 minimum. If you want to stick to analog you should be able to get 700 these days pretty easily.

BTW here is a great graphic that show the difference between analog and megapixel Resolution

Remember to check for what resolution they record at. If the recording resolution sucks the evidence will suck.

So if I want motion activated that texts/emails, do I need to go with Foscam? Fine if I do.

Costco has this system at a good price. Decent resolution and it comes with an Iphone app. But it doesn't say anything about motion activation

http://www.costco.com/Lorex-8-Channel-Full-960H-Security-System-with-1TB-HDD-and-8-700TVL-Cameras.product.100070208.html

I like that it records at better than D1 so you should get some decent images. I wouldn't count on really getting 90 feet in full darkness on the IR, cameras almost never really live up to that. I don't think it does forensic zooming which I would want. Forensic zooming allows you to zoom on the recorded image. Not sure how much zooming a 3.8 fixed lens is going to give you really. As far as motion recording goes it looks like it records always and they try to play that off by saying you get motion alerts.

With all that said we have to be fair. If I did you a professional 8 camera system with 1 terabyte of storage it would go for many, many times what this is. Heck cameras alone would run you minimum 300 or so a piece. Of course you'd also be getting much higher resolution. All in all this doesn't look terrible though.

Sorry for all the dumb questions, I'm a complete newb with these.

How long would it take for the 1tb harddrive to fill up? I assume there is some sort of cron that runs and cannibalizes old data? So how long would data sit on the harddrive before being over written?

I ran some calculations and it looks like to me at full 960h with H.264 running 24/7 at 30 frames per second you'll get 3 days or less. If you turn down the recording resolution to get more time you'll lose the benefit of the higher resolution cameras and be back to blobs when it matters. They have a 2 terabyte system that would get you 5-6 days at full resolution or if you can reduce the frames per second you could up your time. I never record at more than 12 frames per second and usually viewing is done at 6 FPS or less. Record on motion would also help tremendously but it is a low cost system.

I ended up going with this system linked above. Bought it a while ago, having it installed on Monday. I have really good access to the attic so it shouldn't be too hard to install (I have a guy that I pay $200/day flat rate).

8 cameras is certainly over kill but I'm excited to have it set up.

 

[Al Czervik]

 

[NCCommish]

What is a good TVL to look for?

Well I would think you would want at least TV quality so 625 minimum. If you want to stick to analog you should be able to get 700 these days pretty easily.

BTW here is a great graphic that show the difference between analog and megapixel Resolution

Remember to check for what resolution they record at. If the recording resolution sucks the evidence will suck.

So if I want motion activated that texts/emails, do I need to go with Foscam? Fine if I do.

Costco has this system at a good price. Decent resolution and it comes with an Iphone app. But it doesn't say anything about motion activation

http://www.costco.com/Lorex-8-Channel-Full-960H-Security-System-with-1TB-HDD-and-8-700TVL-Cameras.product.100070208.html

I like that it records at better than D1 so you should get some decent images. I wouldn't count on really getting 90 feet in full darkness on the IR, cameras almost never really live up to that. I don't think it does forensic zooming which I would want. Forensic zooming allows you to zoom on the recorded image. Not sure how much zooming a 3.8 fixed lens is going to give you really. As far as motion recording goes it looks like it records always and they try to play that off by saying you get motion alerts.

With all that said we have to be fair. If I did you a professional 8 camera system with 1 terabyte of storage it would go for many, many times what this is. Heck cameras alone would run you minimum 300 or so a piece. Of course you'd also be getting much higher resolution. All in all this doesn't look terrible though.

Sorry for all the dumb questions, I'm a complete newb with these.

How long would it take for the 1tb harddrive to fill up? I assume there is some sort of cron that runs and cannibalizes old data? So how long would data sit on the harddrive before being over written?

I ran some calculations and it looks like to me at full 960h with H.264 running 24/7 at 30 frames per second you'll get 3 days or less. If you turn down the recording resolution to get more time you'll lose the benefit of the higher resolution cameras and be back to blobs when it matters. They have a 2 terabyte system that would get you 5-6 days at full resolution or if you can reduce the frames per second you could up your time. I never record at more than 12 frames per second and usually viewing is done at 6 FPS or less. Record on motion would also help tremendously but it is a low cost system.

I ended up going with this system linked above. Bought it a while ago, having it installed on Monday. I have really good access to the attic so it shouldn't be too hard to install (I have a guy that I pay $200/day flat rate).

8 cameras is certainly over kill but I'm excited to have it set up.

Let us know how it goes. And remember it may look great live but not so much when you go back to watch. So be sure to take some bit of recording and do a playback to get a feel for how that looks.

 

[Al Czervik]

I use Foscam cameras in conjunction with 2 different monitoring systems. Not planned, but that's how it worked out.

I have a Synology Disk Station, which has web-monitorable real-time recording via it's surveillance station. Works with 1 camera, but you can buy licenses for many more. Full-featured, and you get a NAS drive with lots of features as well. I only reference that if needed though, otherwise it just runs behind the scenes.

For day-to-day, I have my Foscam also interfaced through my VERA home automation system. The camera takes still shots when motion is detected and I can check a calendar-style view to see what motion it picked up. 99% of the time it's just a deer, but occasionally there will be odd cars in the driveway or a package delivered or something.

The Foscam cameras are really good. They're cheap. Check woot.com or 1sale.com and they're on there a good bit. You can get decent wireless ones for $70. The night vision feature works well. I've had one mounted under my eaves for ~6 months now without issue, and have another one to mount when I get a chance. They can also work with almost any web-enabled montioring system as they just use a URL for camera access.

Again, that's my hodge-podge system. It's not professional, but it allows me to monitor my house for activity, and if I see activity, I can access the more detailed recording as well. Plus I get the NAS features of media server, picture server, iTunes server, etc, as well as the home automation capability. You wouldn't get any of that with a pure surveillance system.

I like your set up. The more I read about the VERA home automation system, the more I like the idea of using that as a base to connect cameras along with other stuff. So would I be able to also hook up some wireless outdoor speakers to the VERA and stream music to them from my computer?

I really just want my cameras to take a series of pics when there is motion (and maybe notify me). Don't think I need to record a ton of footage on a DVR. I have read some guys set it up so the pics get emailed to a dedicated GMail account which seems like a good idea.

 

[NCCommish]

If you guys are using Foscam be sure to have them behind a firewall and separate from your home network. They are kind of easy to hack if they are exposed to the internet.

 

[Wingnut]

OK so I never installed the system I bought, and sold it a few months after it sat in my closet. So now I'm looking for.a system with 4-6 cameras, wireless, with decent night vision and range.

Haven't started looking again yet, hoping someone here may have some input since it's been over a year since this thread has been posted in.

 

[Bri]

Here's a pretty nice setup for those looking for better quality then the $300 price point: a Lorex 8 channel, 6 indoor/outdoor camera system w/DVR and 19" monitor for $549 shipped. I've seen this exact system in action in several restaurants and the video quality is superb.

http://www.lorextechnology.com/Camera+security+surveillance+system+with+4+outdoor+cameras/1731.p

They may look good when viewing but 360 x 240 recording resolution is going to give you blobs instead of people when you go back to try to look at something happening. You will have a hard time identifying anyone off that, it is very crappy resolution.

Good info...I didn't notice the recording resolution.

Yeah it is easy to miss. It's something I look for because the complaint we get about analog systems is they look fine but when you need the video or to print a picture they look like crap and low recording resolution is the reason.

The output isn't such a huge concern since h264 compression came out and "took the world by storm." It's the most popular compression "engine" now, in just about every phone and dramatically lowered the price of cameras and systems like this. h265 came after and...you should be able to get a fine video cheaply

 

[Bri]

OK so I never installed the system I bought, and sold it a few months after it sat in my closet. So now I'm looking for.a system with 4-6 cameras, wireless, with decent night vision and range.

Haven't started looking again yet, hoping someone here may have some input since it's been over a year since this thread has been posted in.

Wireless cameras aren't always wireless. Sometimes, often times, this means it connects with wifi but you still have to have a power wire/cable running to it.

I'd totally recommend looking for wireless on ebay. Businesses upgrade all the time and sell their old system there.

Use a pc not a dvr.

ZoneMinder is free and easy https://www.zoneminder.com/

4-6 cameras will cost ya. Can you start with fewer?

 

[Bri]

Arlo is the easiest I've ever installed. Zero wires.

Netgear bought them a while back and turned a pricey cool tech product into a mass market one.

If you are at all computer savvy, you'd have this going in about a half hour. Comes with router and couple cameras-all automatically connect to each other. 6 screws, plug in, login from computer, done.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pack-Brand-New-Netgear-Arlo-HD-100-Wireless-Security-Camera-Indoor-Outdoor-/191640105968?hash=item2c9ea3f3f0:g:3ecAAOSwgQ9Vr9W0

When you find another on ebay cheap, all ya do is power up the camera and login to the router.

ETA PM me if you have a Q

 

[Wingnut]

Bri, why do you recommend a PC over a DVR?

Ive looked at Arlo systems, and I think they look perfect for my needs...but can I record to a DVR with the Arlo system? Gonna do some more research and read more reviews before I decide for sure. Im okay starting with 2 cameras and adding more later.

Thanks for the info so far!

 

[Bri]

Bri, why do you recommend a PC over a DVR?

Ive looked at Arlo systems, and I think they look perfect for my needs...but can I record to a DVR with the Arlo system? Gonna do some more research and read more reviews before I decide for sure. Im okay starting with 2 cameras and adding more later.

Thanks for the info so far!

It's much easier to review and generally if you want to do something with it, you're going to a PC anyway.

If you have old hard drives or want to buy cheapies, 1,2,3 to plug a new one in.

Most people have an old PC laying around or you can buy some old gamer's computer on ebay. Ya need a good-not great- graphics card not much else with 2 cameras. If you are starting to feel all fancy high tech, then you can get a better PC. Usually ya know when one is "not cutting it" anymore.

Usually what you want to do is hook into that PC, never actually really use it once you're set up. You go thru your home network (it's visible, easy in My Computer) and look at that day's folder in Zone Minder.

Suppose you catch a crook on your DVR, what are you gonna do? Invite a cop over to see?

You'll want to print out a face pic, email your buddies, post it here, and then give the cops a disc. That's alot to do from a DVR.

I don't think Arlo works with DVR.

Zone Minder and Arlo have won so very many awards your time to research them will be short. Maybe check out the screen shots of each to see if it looks like something you can handle. Again, I think you'll get it done in a half hour with Arlo. Maybe another half hour for zone minder. (ZM is free)

*********

Going back you didn't want to pay for cloud storage.

If you changed your mind, you have to do even less with Arlo. They have apps and it auto connects to base so you just install the app and pull up video on your phone. It IS made with plug N play functionality in mind.

They are a significant presence and upgrade to the camera world. A year or two there will most definitely be imitations and chinese knockoffs.

 

[Wingnut]

Ok, when I asked if I could use a DVR with Arlo, I meant can I record locally to a hard drive with Arlo as opposed to having to use the cloud...I haven't looked at ZM yet, but is that what it does? Allow me to record to a pc? If so it's exactly what I want

 

[Bri]

yes, that's what zone minder does

 

[In The Zone]

.

 

[Wingnut]

Man, ZoneMinder looks like Greek to me, I think Id rather pay $10 a month for the upgraded Arlo Could storage dealio and see how that works. I may pull the trigger on a 2 camera system soon. Thanks for the info, Bri!

 

[Bri]

Man, ZoneMinder looks like Greek to me, I think Id rather pay $10 a month for the upgraded Arlo Could storage dealio and see how that works. I may pull the trigger on a 2 camera system soon. Thanks for the info, Bri!

You're welcome.

I love it and would be interested in your feedback if ya do

 

[tonydead]

 

[PlayaHata]

I ended up researching and buying a DVR/camera system recently at my wife's insistence. We bought this one from Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013VS7TQK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01

I'm happy with the cameras and the video quality but the DVR software leaves a LOT to be desired so far. I admit it is kind of neat though to be able to watch all of my video feeds via my iPhone. At some point I think I will definitely look into scraping our DVR and hooking our cameras straight into a PC instead as an alternative. Should be relatively easy with POE cameras.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Dot

 

[Zasada]

I just set up my home system.

4x Hikvision 3MP Indoor/Outdoor PoE Cameras

BlueIris installed on my home server

Liking it a lot. Cameras are 1080p and awesome quality. PoE (Power over Ethernet) made it so that the installers only had to run Cat5e to the install locations. BlueIris is hugely customizable, has iOS and Android apps, and can also be accessed via browser over the internet.

I even repurposed an old iPad which sits by my back door so that my wife can easily see if the side yard gates are open/closed before she lets the dog out into the back yard.

 

[tonydead]

I just set up my home system.

4x Hikvision 3MP Indoor/Outdoor PoE Cameras

BlueIris installed on my home server

Liking it a lot. Cameras are 1080p and awesome quality. PoE (Power over Ethernet) made it so that the installers only had to run Cat5e to the install locations. BlueIris is hugely customizable, has iOS and Android apps, and can also be accessed via browser over the internet.

I even repurposed an old iPad which sits by my back door so that my wife can easily see if the side yard gates are open/closed before she lets the dog out into the back yard.

So the only thing you need besides blueiris and the cameras is a poe switch? Is that right?

 

[Zasada]

I just set up my home system.

4x Hikvision 3MP Indoor/Outdoor PoE Cameras

BlueIris installed on my home server

Liking it a lot. Cameras are 1080p and awesome quality. PoE (Power over Ethernet) made it so that the installers only had to run Cat5e to the install locations. BlueIris is hugely customizable, has iOS and Android apps, and can also be accessed via browser over the internet.

I even repurposed an old iPad which sits by my back door so that my wife can easily see if the side yard gates are open/closed before she lets the dog out into the back yard.

So the only thing you need besides blueiris and the cameras is a poe switch? Is that right?

Yes, I got this one. It's a bit pricier but it allows you to mix PoE devices and non-PoE devices.

 

[jon_mx]

This is a good security camera if you have the cash.

http://www.flir.com/surveillance/display/?id=64523

 

[Otis]

.

Tempted to pick up a 2or 3 camera system. Stupid question: is there a camera that doesn't look like crap so I don't put it up and make my neighborhood look like a check cashing joint in the ghetto? Obviously a wireless system is the way to go, and I wouldn't mind paying for a cloud system if it's great and simplifies life a bit. I'm assuming even for those wireless systems, you still need an electrician to come in and run power to each camera.... Sounds like the only real PIA here.

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Here is an article on security cameras

http://www.infoworld.com/article/2851854/security/thinking-of-buying-a-security-camera-read-this-first.html

My brother installed one for his house. The payoff so far?

Caught the next door neighbor blowing leaves into their yard.

Got reimbursed by UPS that a delivery never happened.

 

[Wingnut]

.

Tempted to pick up a 2or 3 camera system. Stupid question: is there a camera that doesn't look like crap so I don't put it up and make my neighborhood look like a check cashing joint in the ghetto? Obviously a wireless system is the way to go, and I wouldn't mind paying for a cloud system if it's great and simplifies life a bit. I'm assuming even for those wireless systems, you still need an electrician to come in and run power to each camera.... Sounds like the only real PIA here.

The Arlo system is truly wireless. No wires to the cameras, they run on lithium batteries.

 

[jojooboo]

 

[Zasada]

.

Tempted to pick up a 2or 3 camera system. Stupid question: is there a camera that doesn't look like crap so I don't put it up and make my neighborhood look like a check cashing joint in the ghetto? Obviously a wireless system is the way to go, and I wouldn't mind paying for a cloud system if it's great and simplifies life a bit. I'm assuming even for those wireless systems, you still need an electrician to come in and run power to each camera.... Sounds like the only real PIA here.

Yeah, I wanted my cameras mounted under the roof and that was a bit pricey to have the experts do. Rather than use wireless (can be flaky at times) I just went with wired since I had to run wires for power anyway. And PoE handles both the data and power at the same time. Plus, PoE is low-current so the safety/code concerns are much less.

The cameras I use (linked earlier) are pretty small -- no bigger than my clenched fist and don't look like the monsters you see at cheque cashing places.

 

[Otis]

.

Tempted to pick up a 2or 3 camera system. Stupid question: is there a camera that doesn't look like crap so I don't put it up and make my neighborhood look like a check cashing joint in the ghetto? Obviously a wireless system is the way to go, and I wouldn't mind paying for a cloud system if it's great and simplifies life a bit. I'm assuming even for those wireless systems, you still need an electrician to come in and run power to each camera.... Sounds like the only real PIA here.

The Arlo system is truly wireless. No wires to the cameras, they run on lithium batteries.

Woah. That sounds awesome. Except you probably have to constantly change those batteries??

 

[Wingnut]

.

Tempted to pick up a 2or 3 camera system. Stupid question: is there a camera that doesn't look like crap so I don't put it up and make my neighborhood look like a check cashing joint in the ghetto? Obviously a wireless system is the way to go, and I wouldn't mind paying for a cloud system if it's great and simplifies life a bit. I'm assuming even for those wireless systems, you still need an electrician to come in and run power to each camera.... Sounds like the only real PIA here.

The Arlo system is truly wireless. No wires to the cameras, they run on lithium batteries.

Woah. That sounds awesome. Except you probably have to constantly change those batteries??

The idea is they are on motion detection, and only record when something happens. The rest of the time they're in a sleep mode. Battery life according to reviews last anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months...and you can buy rechargeables and swap em out as you need.

 

[Tiger Fan]

.

Tempted to pick up a 2or 3 camera system. Stupid question: is there a camera that doesn't look like crap so I don't put it up and make my neighborhood look like a check cashing joint in the ghetto? Obviously a wireless system is the way to go, and I wouldn't mind paying for a cloud system if it's great and simplifies life a bit. I'm assuming even for those wireless systems, you still need an electrician to come in and run power to each camera.... Sounds like the only real PIA here.

The Arlo system is truly wireless. No wires to the cameras, they run on lithium batteries.

friend put these up and he likes em

 

[tonydead]

I'm seriously considering wifi cameras. I have power almost everywhere I need them and would have to run network cabling if I went POE. I could even get wifi extenders at outlets just inside the front and back doors if needed for cheap. Anyone recommend a good wifi camera? Hikvision doesn't seem to have very many choices.

 

[Otis]

.

Tempted to pick up a 2or 3 camera system. Stupid question: is there a camera that doesn't look like crap so I don't put it up and make my neighborhood look like a check cashing joint in the ghetto? Obviously a wireless system is the way to go, and I wouldn't mind paying for a cloud system if it's great and simplifies life a bit. I'm assuming even for those wireless systems, you still need an electrician to come in and run power to each camera.... Sounds like the only real PIA here.

The Arlo system is truly wireless. No wires to the cameras, they run on lithium batteries.

Woah. That sounds awesome. Except you probably have to constantly change those batteries??

The idea is they are on motion detection, and only record when something happens. The rest of the time they're in a sleep mode. Battery life according to reviews last anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months...and you can buy rechargeables and swap em out as you need.

Interesting.

 

[tonydead]

Bumb. 

Had a series of vandalisms in the neighborhood last night. My company car got spray painted. What's the latest and greatest system? Hoping for around $300-400. 

 

[Chadstroma]

Costco sells a good system at good value from what I have found out in previous research though I never made the purchase (yet).

My BIL had a scary thing happen a month or so ago and that weekend looked around. My other BIL was more involved than me- I just said "check out the Costco one" as I heard them talking about it and researching ones online for quality/price. An hour later, he declared that they were heading to Costco. I haven't talked to him about it directly since so I don't know if he is happy with it or not- I am sure if he was unhappy I would have heard about it being the one to make the suggestion.

 

[tonydead]

BlueIris is hugely customizable, has iOS and Android apps, and can also be accessed via browser over the internet.

Are there guides for this anywhere?  I can't find one and all the youtube videos are three years old or more.  Maybe it's super user friendly now and doesn't require mapping IP addresses or port forwarding?

 

[Zasada]

Are there guides for this anywhere?  I can't find one and all the youtube videos are three years old or more.  Maybe it's super user friendly now and doesn't require mapping IP addresses or port forwarding?

Not that I'm aware of.  I didn't have to forward any ports but you do have to feel OK about knowing what an IP on your home network is and how to change it on the camera.  It's not difficult if you're comfortable with those kinds of things but it could be a little daunting if you're not.

But I'm pretty happy with my BlueIris setup.  Not just because of the functionality but it scales so easy.  I have added cameras and the software brings them online just like any others.

I think BlueIris is free if you're only using one camera, so if you're willing to take a chance and buy a single camera (I recommend the HikVision I bought) to try things out, it's not a huge investment.  And if it's not your thing, I'll buy the camera from you (provided you buy one of the two below).

Indoor Camera (with audio)

Outdoor Camera (no audio)

 

[tonydead]

Not that I'm aware of.  I didn't have to forward any ports but you do have to feel OK about knowing what an IP on your home network is and how to change it on the camera.  It's not difficult if you're comfortable with those kinds of things but it could be a little daunting if you're not.

But I'm pretty happy with my BlueIris setup.  Not just because of the functionality but it scales so easy.  I have added cameras and the software brings them online just like any others.

I think BlueIris is free if you're only using one camera, so if you're willing to take a chance and buy a single camera (I recommend the HikVision I bought) to try things out, it's not a huge investment.  And if it's not your thing, I'll buy the camera from you (provided you buy one of the two below).

Indoor Camera (with audio)

Outdoor Camera (no audio)

I wanted to go wifi so I didn't have to run network cables all over the house (I already have power outlets everywhere outside). I'm going to start with a couple Amcrest ProHD wifi for about the same price as those. You can't find Hikvisions that are wifi. Sounds like my router should take care of assigning IPs which are easy enough to change if not. 

 

[Chadstroma]

Two additional things here.

1) I noticed the Costco system was on sale this period.

2) My FIL has cameras placed. However, just last week they had an attempted car break in (the lock mechanism was broken etc). Basically the angles of the cameras outside looking at the cars had a blind spot and guess where the car was? Make sure you are placing the cameras to cover the right angles and be useful or else you might as well just put up fake cameras.

 

[tonydead]

I wanted to go wifi so I didn't have to run network cables all over the house (I already have power outlets everywhere outside). I'm going to start with a couple Amcrest ProHD wifi for about the same price as those. You can't find Hikvisions that are wifi. Sounds like my router should take care of assigning IPs which are easy enough to change if not. 

I went with 2 Amcrest ProHD wifi to start with Blue Iris software.  Works perfectly so far.  Wow is this Blue Iris software phenomenal.   With all the motion sensing and reporting options with enough cameras you could easily build a complete home security system that would rival the best in the business.  I've got two more camera's ordered and am starting to get into the details with Blue Iris.  Very happy.  

Right now I've got the system running on my HTPC (which is on all the time anyway) and recording to hard disc.  I haven't experienced any hardware or wifi limitations with just the two cameras while simultaneously watching tv/movies.  Will have to see if that changes as I add more.

 

[Zasada]

Right now I've got the system running on my HTPC (which is on all the time anyway) and recording to hard disc.  I haven't experienced any hardware or wifi limitations with just the two cameras while simultaneously watching tv/movies.  Will have to see if that changes as I add more.

If you find CPU usage getting too high, be sure to enable hardware acceleration and potentially reduce the framerate of the recording to a lower number (most of my cameras are at 10fps).  Also be sure to match the framerate of the camera to that of the recording, which will help with CPU.  

Finally, not using overlays in BI (and instead using the built-in timestamp of the camera) will reduce CPU load.

I'm running six cameras on a Core i7-6700K and my server idles around 15% CPU usage, after having done all of the above.

 

[Al Czervik]

What are the power sources for your cameras?  Looking at the Amcrest ProHD wifi camera, it looks like it comes with a wire connected to a plug.  Places I want to add cameras do not have the option for an outlet.  I think I would need to hard wire into an exterior light or something like that.

 

[Chadstroma]

What are the power sources for your cameras?  Looking at the Amcrest ProHD wifi camera, it looks like it comes with a wire connected to a plug.  Places I want to add cameras do not have the option for an outlet.  I think I would need to hard wire into an exterior light or something like that.

My BIL ran wiring (don't remember the source) to each along with the wiring to the system.

 

[tonydead]

If you find CPU usage getting too high, be sure to enable hardware acceleration and potentially reduce the framerate of the recording to a lower number (most of my cameras are at 10fps).  Also be sure to match the framerate of the camera to that of the recording, which will help with CPU.  

Finally, not using overlays in BI (and instead using the built-in timestamp of the camera) will reduce CPU load.

I'm running six cameras on a Core i7-6700K and my server idles around 15% CPU usage, after having done all of the above.

Yeah I set everything to 10fps, but get an alert (yellow !) because the cameras are natively 30fps. Are you saying I should record in 30fps and stream in 10 fps for lowest cpu usage?  I'm at 30% cpu usage and it only goes up to 35-40% when I launch WMC and then back to 30% even though I'm watching a tv source.  I think the huapagge video card must be handleing the tv signal. My HTPC has an i5-somethingorother that is rated to run cool. 

 

[tonydead]

What are the power sources for your cameras?  Looking at the Amcrest ProHD wifi camera, it looks like it comes with a wire connected to a plug.  Places I want to add cameras do not have the option for an outlet.  I think I would need to hard wire into an exterior light or something like that.

They are either power plug with wifi or POE. POE is a network cable that can supply power to the camera too. You have to hard wire one or the other. I had outlets everywhere so for me it was easier using wifi. 

 

[tonydead]

If anyone is interested in Blue Iris and looking for a user manual/help file I have a PDF version. They can be hard to come by without purchasing Blue Iris because they don't publish it, it's only available in the help files inside the program. 

 

[Zasada]

Yeah I set everything to 10fps, but get an alert (yellow !) because the cameras are natively 30fps. Are you saying I should record in 30fps and stream in 10 fps for lowest cpu usage?  I'm at 30% cpu usage and it only goes up to 35-40% when I launch WMC and then back to 30% even though I'm watching a tv source.  I think the huapagge video card must be handleing the tv signal. My HTPC has an i5-somethingorother that is rated to run cool. 

Can you set the cameras to run at 10fps themselves (thus aligning what they're running at and the BlueIris record rate)?  I can with my HikVision.  You have to sign into the cameras themselves to see their hardware settings.

 

[tonydead]

Can you set the cameras to run at 10fps themselves (thus aligning what they're running at and the BlueIris record rate)?  I can with my HikVision.  You have to sign into the cameras themselves to see their hardware settings.

Oh, maybe that will fix my issue, thanks I'll give it a go.  I'm only running at 33-35% with 4 cameras now all at 30fps.  I gave up on 10fps because the video was jumpy and out of sync.  I hadn't thought that you could change the frame rate on the camera itself, duh.  

ETA: oops, I was wrong, about 66% now. Yeah, I'll have to try that. 

 

[tonydead]

Also, still figuring out PTZ too:

1- Network IP and select device brand and model.

2- Make sure PTZ presets match the presets on the camera.

3- Make sure the network ports match.

Am I missing anything?

 

[tonydead]

Can you set the cameras to run at 10fps themselves (thus aligning what they're running at and the BlueIris record rate)?  I can with my HikVision.  You have to sign into the cameras themselves to see their hardware settings.

Yep way better, thanks. Smooth picture and cpu down from 66% to 30%.